MA - waterfowl and other odds n' ends in the first half of November

 

(Pale-bellied) Brant - three of six at Pine Meadow Road, Northfield, Franklin Co., MA. November 1st, 2020. Initially found by Sasha Auer and Kevin Barnes. 

Irruptive passerines from the boreal certainly stole the show in early November but compared to previous years, it seemed (to me at least) that waterfowl migration was a little below par for the first twenty days of the month. Small numbers of Black, Surf and White-winged Scoters showed up at Turner's Falls and at the north end of the Quabbin Reservoir along with a tiny handful of Long-tailed Ducks but generally, those species were not found in the numbers that we've seen in the past. That much said, there were certainly some notables around with Red-breasted Mergansers turning up in flocks of up to nine birds and a continued presence with Common Mergansers at the Turner's Falls power canal through to the middle of the month. It was also excellent to have some lingering Brant (6 at Pine Meadow Road, Northfield through to Nov 2nd) and a Cackling Goose in Turners Falls  (Nov 7th - 20th) after both species had been curiously missing in October. Still, while early to mid November might have light on the scarcer waterfowl, it certainly wasn't light on volume. On several dates between the 12th and the 20th, the Turner's Falls power canal 'groaned' under the weight of 1900-2000 Canada Geese and up to 260 Common Mergansers and 32 Common Goldeneyes. Other notable gatherings included the continued presence of Pied-billed Grebes and American Coots on the CT River all month to the 20th at least, with up to 11 of the former and up to five of the latter between Barton Cove and the Turner's Falls Rod and Gun club. 

Cackling Goose (center) - heading north for evening feeding. Unity Park, Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. November 7th, 2020. 

This bird was courteous enough stick around at the power canal for well over week after this initial sighting. 

Cackling Goose -Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. November 14th, 2020. 

Cackling Goose (right) -Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. November 15th, 2020. 

Bonaparte's Gull (adult/near adult) -Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. November 12th, 2020. 

Late migrant shorebirds included a Dunlin on Nov 8th and a Semipalmated Plover on Nov 10th, both coming from the rather under watched Gate 22 at the Quabbin Reservoir. The Connecticut River at Turner's Falls hosted unusually good numbers of Greater Yellowlegs until all of them appeared to form one tight flock of eleven birds and depart south at speed on the evening of the 12th. While the odd Greater Yellowlegs can be expected in November, a single flock of 11 is unprecedented in my experience in the county, especially so late into the month.  

A Bonaparte's Gull at Turner's Falls Rod and Gun club on Nov 12th was the only larid of note in the first 20 days of the month in what had to be quietest opening to 'gull season' that I've ever seen in the greater Turner's Falls area. Iceland Gulls are long overdue but should hopefully put in an appearance soon, and perhaps one or two Lesser Black-backed Gulls. 

MA - White-eyed Vireo lingers into Nov

White-eyed Vireo - adult, Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. November 1st, 2017.

The month started with a nice sharp frost, very welcome after an incredibly warm October. The day continued to be cool, windless and cloudy creating a pretty interesting atmosphere much more in keeping with the conditions we expect in late fall. In between errands I checked a number of spots around Turner's Falls notching up close to 50 species before noon. Oddly enough I failed to connect with any of the waterfowl movements well reported on the local social media outlets today though I did have a 'token' Brant fly past me at Unity Park. 

Brant - adult, Unity Park, Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. November 1st, 2017.

But the day held other surprises, namely in the form of lingering 'scarcities' that I felt sure had moved on, but then popped up and presented themselves. The White-eyed Vireo in Turner's Falls was one of these, and the Cattle Egret showed up again at Upinngil after seemingly being absent all day yesterday. A calling Yellow-bellied Sapsucker on North Cross Road, Gill was another surprise this morning.

Cattle Egret - Gill, Franklin Co., MA. November 1st, 2017.

Notables in Turner's Falls included Hermit Thrush, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Winter Wren and a large flock of 85 Cedar Waxwings.

Hermit Thrush - Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. November 1st, 2017.

Ruby-crowned Kinglet - Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. November 1st, 2017.

MA - four goose afternoon

Brant - Unity Park, Turner's Falls, Franklin Co., MA. October 16th, 2015. A surprise find in late afternoon.

Brants are scarce late fall migrants through our area, usually lone birds just like this one.

After running a few errands, I had a quick drive north through Turner's Falls in late afternoon. After a few minutes of scanning the power canal I soon located a Cackling Goose among 400 or so Canada Geese. Next stop was Unity Park where a Brant was a major but welcome surprise loosely associating with a handful of Canada Geese. On the north side of the river, a Greater White-fronted Goose was again present with a wide scatter of Canada Geese off Riverview Drive in Gill, along with three American Coots. That seemed like a nice haul of birds after an eerily quiet morning in which very little could be found, though I did see two different high-flying Northern Harriers over the power canal where a Cackling Goose (same as above) dropped in around 11am and apparently remained for most of the day. 

 Cackling Goose (rear) - Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. October 16th, 2015. 

Cackling Goose (lowest bird) - arriving at Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. October 16th, 2015.

Greater White-fronted Goose - Barton Cove, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. October 16th, 2015.

Looks like the long staying, continuing bird.

Northern Harrier - in migration, high over Turner's Falls power canal, Franklin Co., MA. October 16th, 2015.

The second of two individuals this morning, about 35 minutes between birds. 

MA - Brant, Coots, Ruddies and a Snow Bunting!

Rain, drizzle, and later snow flurries all day long. Tough conditions to be out but definitely producing some interesting birds in Gill. Two Brants in the 'goose field' at Upinngil Farm were a pleasing find amongst 140 Canada Geese in the morning, and a quick of Barton Cove produced five American Coots, 5 Ring-necked Ducks and 2 Ruddy Ducks all off the public boat ramp. A late morning check back at Upinngil Farm found the Brants still present along with an increase to 400 Canada Geese, that's until a Bald Eagle flushed the lot with less than half the flock returning to the field. But, whilst waiting for more geese to arrive, a Snow Bunting flew over the field giving its delightful ringing calls - another nice arrival and my first of the fall. At home a bedraggled Northern Harrier flew low over the tree tops heading towards Gill center, and up to three Yellow-rumped Warblers remained in the yard.

Also of note, a flock of about 100 Dark-eyed Juncos on Barney Hale Road - my first large flock of the fall.

Here's a few images from the day;

 American Coot - Barton Cove, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. October 27th, 2011.

 Ruddy Duck - Barton Cove, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. October 27th, 2011.

 Ring-necked Ducks - Barton Cove, Gill, Franklin Co., MA. October 27th, 2011.

 Brant (B.b. hrota) -  Gill, Franklin Co., MA. October 27th, 2011.

As for the Pink-footed Goose, well it sounds like it eluded most of the birders that tried for it today, but I did hear of positive reports from the power canal in the very early morning and again late in the evening. 

JPS.

Pale-bellied Brants - Turner's Falls Oct 31st,

Had quick run out this afternoon finding two first-winter male Common Mergansers at Tri-town beach in Whately, some 120 American Pipits in Old Deerfield, and a beautiful family party of Pale-bellied Brant (Branta bernicla hrota) at the Turner's Falls power canal. I might have missed them as I was busy going through the Canada Geese on the water. This family was grazing on the far embank by the bike path on the East side of the power canal. I didn't hesitate and walked around to get amazing views. I must say they were ridiculously tame. I've had one or two flocks of Brant pass through the Connecticut River valley in most recent years in October. They usually go through fast and high, so getting this close to a family group was a real treat.

Quabbin Park migration - Oct 6th

Vesper Sparrow - Winsor Dam, Quabbin Park.


Peregrine Falcons - 2 on migration over Quabbin Park.


Black-throated Green Warbler - 1 of 10 around the Lookout Tower at Quabbin Park.

Had a good morning at Quabbin Park concentrating on Winsor Dam from the HQ buildings, the Lookout Tower area and a brief scan over Goodnough Dike. Migration was much in evidence throughout the morning (07:35hrs - 11:30 hrs) with highlights including a sudden and unexpected arrival of birds on Winsor Dam wall, a busy and rather intense feeding flock around the base of the Lookout Tower, and a small but decent collection of migrant waterfowl at Goodnough Dike. Four American River Otters at the latter spot came as a complete surprise, a species which I don't recall seeing anywhere in the Quabbin in previous years.

Here's some of the more notable species from this morning;

Common Loon - 2.
Bald Eagle - 2 (ad and juv).
Canada Goose - 114 migrants moving south (4 flock). 20 'resident' birds below Winsor Dam
BRANT - 12, departing south from Goodnough Dike area at around 11:25hrs.
NORTHERN PINTAIL - 2 (both juvs) with drake Mallard off Goodnough Dike.
Common Merganser - 1 Goodnough Dike.
Osprey -2 migrants south.
Peregrine - 2 migrants south over Lookout Tower.
Sharp-shinned Hawk - 3 south over Lookout Tower.
American Kestrel - 2 (1 certainly migrating high over Winsor Dam).
Wild Turkey - 20 (two flocks).
American Pipit - 4 Winsor Dam.
Yellow-rumped Warbler - 110 migrating high over Winsor Dam.
'Eastern' Palm Warbler - 5 (2 Winsor Dam).
Blackpoll Warbler - 25 (most moving over and along Winsor Dam before 9am).
Black-throated Green Warbler - 10 (all around Lookout Tower).
Pine Warbler - 3 (including adult male) Winsor Dam.
Nashville Warbler - 1 at Lookout Tower.
Blue-headed Vireo -1 at Lookout Tower.
Golden-crowned Kinglet - 22 (most around Lookout Tower).
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - 25 (most around Lookout Tower giving exceptional views).
Eastern Phoebe - 5
Eastern Bluebird - 16 (on dam wall, Winsor Dam).
RUSTY BLACKBIRD - 4 moving south-west over Winsor Dam.
VESPER SPARROW - 1 good views of this bird with Eastern Bluebirds and Pine Warblers on Winsor Dam.
White-throated Sparrow - c. 60 around Lookout Tower.
PINE SISKIN - 2 south over Winsor Dam
Purple Finch - 5 south Lookout Tower.
Dark-eyed Junco - 8 around Lookout Tower.

Brant - Twelve moving south above Goodnough Dike, Quabbin Park.


Northern Pintail - Two with drake Mallard (left), Goodnough Dike, Quabbin Park.


Winsor Dam wall - busy with Eastern Bluebirds, Palm Warblers and Chipping Sparrows.


Nasville Warbler - below the Lookout Tower, Quabbin Park.


Ruby-crowned Kinglet - Plenty below the Lookout Tower today at Quabbin Park.